The Government of India has given its approval for the creation of a 5th tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu that will encompass the Meghamalai and Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- The 1 lakh-hectare Meghamalai and Srivilliputhur, home to 63 mammal species, will be India’s 51st tiger reserve.
- The proposal sent by the Tamil Nadu states that the new tiger reserve will not only lead to wildlife protection of the country’s flagship species but will also result in the rejuvenation of the Vaigai river by protecting the river’s origins in these forests.
- The Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across the districts of Theni and Madurai while Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary lies along Kerala’s Periyar Tiger Reserve.
- The last tiger reserve was notified six years ago in Arunachal Pradesh in Kamlang.
- The other tiger reserves in Tamil Nadu are; Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
